MOBILE DEVICE CABLE STRENGTHENING AND PERSONALIZATION DEVICE AND METHOD
A cable strengthening and personalization device and method for use with cables round, flat or with contemporous shape for devices which include smart phones, smart watches, inductive smart device chargers, tablet computers, MP3 media players, mobile phones, digital recording devices both audio and video, global positioning devices, game controllers and other devices that use a USB or other type plug on the power facing end and iPhone lightening, phone plug, USB standard A, mini or micro USB type or other type plug on the device end is herein disclosed. The device components are designed to strengthen and customize existing device connection cables in the area of, just adjacent to and along the entire existing cable length without dismantling such cables nor impact the usability especially in the applications where limited space exists and enhance the durability and or appearance of the existing cables, plug and power supplies (AC to DC converters or DC). The components of the device can be assembled in a hot or cold manual, semi-automated or automated process without dismantling the components of the cable under enhancement. Among other things the strengthening and personalization components reduce the effect of mechanical forces including cutting, abrasion, axial and longitudinal which results in extension of the service life of said cable, allows the user to easily identify said cable among a host of similar cables and express their individuality through a plethora of colors and images to customize the plug surfaces, entire cable body and AC power supply to meet the preference of the user.
This invention applies to the cable between a mobile device and the AC to DC power supply as seen in
In recent years supported by faster cellular networks, longer lasting batteries, ever increasing need to consume and store data mobile devices have proliferated and in turn the power they consume has increased necessitating the need to transfer power in addition to data with sufficient reliability via a flexible multi pin cable. Keeping the devices powered presents two problems: longevity and personalization.
First, due to the desire of the cable manufacturer to keep the power cable light, cost effective and conforming to a certain minimalistic appearance the cables are often designed and or manufactured with inadequate strength in the area of the plug to cable interface and along the entire cable length to handle the axial, bending, cutting, abrasive and other various mechanical forces to which the device is routinely subjected especially in the case of the smaller and often proprietary mobile device plug and where sufficient space does not exist for the user to readily handle the plug during insertion and removal so the cable is handled instead which results in premature failure of the cable often when the mobile device is most needed. The cable functionality fails as the leads pull out of the pins or solder as seen in
Second, it has become quite common for numerous users to plug their cables and AC supplies used inside and outside of North America into common areas leaving the cable “plugged in” for short to longer duration and not attached to the mobile device. Since the cables and their power supplies are not readily differentiated often a user cannot distinguish their cable and AC adapter among similar items.
Additionally, there exists out of a common need for individuality and self-expression which is the same need that in often times the user purchased the particular device instead of another somewhat technically equivalent device a user wants to personalize his device which has the unintended consequence of solving item two and makes the cable and AC adapter readily identifiable among a host of similar cables and power supplies.
SUMMARYThe present device is comprised of embodiments to strengthen and to personalize mobile device cables as seen in
In the first embodiment as seen in
In a second embodiment as seen in
Other essential components as seen in
The operational principle of each embodiment remains the same regardless of which USB variant, jack or custom plug such as iPhone lightening to which the device conforms. In operation the custom plug enclosure fits over and readily affixes to the existing plug, cable and to a cable protecting sheath via a ratcheting and locking mechanism contained on the main plug body and on the integral stress relief. The custom plug enclosure then securely grasps the existing plug and cable and cable to the protective and personalization sheath component via the compressive forces generated by the ratcheting mechanism which accommodates the range of possible cable diameters in conjunction with an inner adhesive liner.
The sheath, one embodiment seen in
The spiral wrapping, one embodiment seen in
The forces normally exerted on the original plug and cable junction are then transferred to the custom plug enclosure stress relief and cable sheath or spiral wrap.
The cable body between the plugs on each end of the cable is also protected. The body of one embodiment of the stress relief portion of the device also contains a number of round or oval detents which are incorporated at an angle in the stress relief section of the device and are sufficient to engage the cable without damage as the lid of the stress relief section is compressed into final locking position which is based upon the diameter of the cable. The device is readily assembled via placing the device over the existing plug and cable and sheath then by pushing down on the ratcheting mechanism compression until no further movement occurs.
The device strengthens the existing assembly against mechanical forces and helps prevent the leads of the cable from pulling out of the plug in an entirely cold process requiring minimal skill.
Although the custom plug enclosure device shape and size is minimalistic and based upon the shape of the outer surfaces of the plug to which it will adhere there exists a plurality of plug shapes and variations within each plug shape to which the custom plug enclosure must conform as seen in
The second embodiment is similar to the first except the custom plugs are replaced with a customized heat shrink material with properties specifically selected for the current application. The custom heat shrink material is placed over the plug, cable and sheath then carefully heated until the material conforms and secures the plug to the cable and to the protective personalization cable sheath which whose material of construction was previously detailed. The braid material expands and is pulled over the plug end to the required length to cover the cable then secured either by the distal portion of the stress relief mechanism portion of the custom component as in embodiment One
The wire wrap either sheath or spiral is pulled or wound around in a manual, semi-automated or automated process as in the case of the cold process as described earlier to cover the entire length of the cable and is attached in a similar manner regardless of embodiment the custom plug enclosure as embodiment One and embodiment Two
The custom plug, heat shrink material, braid or wrap material which is available in a wide variety of colors including clear is also essential to the personalization aspect of the current device. The cable owner would have the option of selecting from a plethora of colors for each component of each embodiment to meet their personalization requirements.
Due to an additional and essential need to rapidly identify the cable and AC adapter among a host of similar appearing items as seen in
In the drawings,
This present invention applies to mobile device cables and their associated power supplies. It provides a means to strengthen the cable against typical operational mechanical stress and prevent damage to the cable in the area of the pin to lead, plug to cable interface and along the entire length of the cable body in-situ without dismantling any pre-existing component.
It also provides a means to personalize the cable and associated AC adapter to meet the requirements of the user and provide a means of ready identification among a host of similar devices.
The strengthening and personalization components can be installed in a manual, semi-automated or automated process. Those skilled in the art can see that that modification can be made to the preferred embodiments One and Two including the exemplary images without departing from the spirit of the invention. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.
Claims
1. A device that reinforces and personalizes a charge and synchronization cable and associated AC power supply for mobile devices and associated inductive charging device cables that can be installed without altering existing components and superimposed over in a manual, semi-automated or automated process, can exist in several embodiments and a person skilled in the art can realize that more forms of the same device can exist that adhere to the spirit of said device. The invention comprises: plug enclosures bodies, sheath and images. The enclosure body can consist of three segments: proximal, middle and distal and encases the downstream and upstream plugs of a mobile device and attaches to the cable and a protective sheath. The device has a physically low profile to conform to existing plugs. The enclosure device can be one piece with no articulations or contain a top and a bottom and these halves are connected on one side. The device is made via extrusion, injection molding, additive manufacturing or stamping and is made from plastic, fibrous or metallic material and can be available in a number of sizes for each plug type as required by the plurality of and variation within each type of plug to which the device must conform. The device components are available in a number of colors to meet the personalization requirements of the end user.
2. The device of claim 1 can contain for a cold assembly process a ratcheting tensional mechanism on the front, the middle and distal portions of the plug enclosure which alone or in conjunction with other components applies sufficient force to immobilize the plug, cable and sheath that are enclosed.
3. The device of claim 1 for a cold assembly process distal end can contain a number of projections. The projections are arranged in such a way as to grip a cable that runs through the center when the two halves of the device are in the closed and in locked position.
4. The device of claim 1 can for a cold process attach via crimping the plug enclosure components to the cable and plugs on each end of the cable.
5. The device of claim 1 for a hot assembly process front, the middle and distal portions of the plug enclosure components which alone or in conjunction with other components applies sufficient force to immobilize the plug, cable and sheath that are enclosed.
6. The device of claim 1 for a hot assembly process contains a spiral winding for stress relief immediately after the USB or custom plug along the body of the cable.
7. The device of claim 1 contains a protective sheath. The mechanical forces routinely occurring in usage of the cable are transferred to the device components including spiral winding where applicable and sheath and in doing so strengthens the junction between the cable and the upstream of downstream plugs.
8. The device of claim 1 which contains a protective sheath also protects the cable from forces normally occurring along the entire length of the cable. Additionally, the sheath is available in a number of colors which provides personalization of the cable.
9. The device of claim 1 also provides a provision for personalization via attachment of a desired image surface of the plug enclosure components and associated AC power supply. Personalization of the components permits easy identification among a host of similar cables and adapters.
10. A method to install the strengthening and personalization components of the device in embodiment One for a cold process includes said steps to install the sheath, upstream and downstream plug enclosure components and images. Install the protective sheath over the entire length of the cable. Install the USB A plug enclosure component, tension and activate by ratcheting the USB A body section downward until no further movement can occur and lock. Repeat the activating action on the middle portion of the USB A portion of the plug enclosure. Insert the sheath into the distal portion of the plug enclosure and repeat the activating action to the distal portion of the enclosure securing the cable and sheath and lock. Repeat the procedure on the upstream plug enclosure to host plug with the following exception. Pull the sheath tightly then insert into the distal portion of the device and cut off the excess sheath material. Apply tension and activate the device by ratcheting the distal portion of the device securely and lock. Install the user defined image to the outer surface of the device covering the USB A plug. Now install the user defined image to the outer surface of the AC adaptor.
11. A method to install the strengthening and personalization components of the device in embodiment Two for a hot process includes said steps to install the sheath, upstream and downstream device components and images. Install the sheath over the cable. Install the USB A heat shrink component. Install a small section of spiral wound material starting immediately adjacent to the USB A plug along the body of the power cable. Insert a section of the spiral winding into the terminus of custom heat shrink device and cover the spiral winding. Conform the heat shrink device to the USB A plug, cable and sheath via applying heat not in excess of 190 degree F. to the heat shrink component by rotating the cable to and fro through the heat source taking care not to overheat the cable or USB A plug. Stop when the heat shrink component applies sufficient tension to the USB A plug, the cable and sheath. Install the heat shrink component over the upstream plug. Insert the sheath into the heat shrink component and cut off the excess sheath material. Conform the heat shrink component to the cable and sheath as previously described. Install the personalization images to the outer surface of the heat shrink device and AC adaptor as previously described.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 28, 2014
Publication Date: Mar 31, 2016
Inventors: James Clifford Litterini (River Edge, NJ), Cameron Lynne Litterini (River Edge, NJ)
Application Number: 14/499,197